Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery rose $1.66 to $79.72 a barrel Friday. : Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery rose $1.66 to $79.72 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for April delivery rose $1.89 to $86.39 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery rose 5 cents to $2.50 a gallon. March heating oil rose 4 cents to $2.86 a gallon. March natural gas rose 8 cents to $2.51 per 1,000 cubic feet. Gold for April delivery fell $4 to $1,874.50 an ounce.